Motorcyclists must have strength and balance to ride safely. Additionally, they must have the knowledge and intuition to avoid the common road dangers for motorcyclists in Savannah, Georgia, including other vehicles.
When a motorcycle accident results from someone else’s negligent or wrongful act, an injured motorcyclist can seek injury compensation. A Savannah motorcycle accident lawyer from Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers can stand up to insurers and at-fault drivers to seek fair accident compensation. Contact us today at (912) 335-1909 for a free consultation.
How Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Savannah, GA
Our law firm has a 95% success rate fighting for injured victims in Savannah, GA. We use our decades of legal experience to develop a strategy to pursue compensation from the driver responsible for causing your motorcycle accident.
When you suffer an injury in a crash caused by a negligent, intoxicated, or aggressive driver, our lawyers provide the following assistance:
- Consulting with you about the facts of your case and your options for compensation
- Collecting records, bills, and other evidence to prove your case
- Assembling your insurance claim and negotiating with the driver’s insurer
- Taking your case to court if we cannot resolve it through a settlement
A motorcycle accident can have catastrophic consequences, even when you wear a helmet and ride carefully. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Savannah personal injury attorney to learn how we can hold a careless driver responsible for your injury-related losses.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Savannah, GA?
Most motorcycle accidents in Savannah, GA, are often the result of preventable driver negligence.
Some of the most common contributing factors include:
- Distracted driving, including texting, using a GPS, or other in-car distractions
- Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes or merging
- Speeding or following a motorcycle too closely
- Improper left turns, especially at busy Savannah and Chatham County intersections
- Misjudging a motorcycle’s speed or failing to yield the right of way
- Impaired driving, including alcohol or drug use
- Poor road or weather conditions, such as potholes, debris, or reduced visibility
Because riders have so little physical protection, even a single negligent action can lead to devastating injuries or life-altering consequences.
Hazards That May Cause or Worsen Savannah Motorcycle Accidents
Several environmental and roadway hazards in and around Savannah can create dangerous conditions for riders or make an existing motorcycle accident even more severe.
Helmetless Riding
Even though Georgia has a universal helmet law, some riders take to the roads without proper headgear. Riding without a helmet is life-threatening. Even a minor crash can result in a permanent or fatal brain injury when a helmetless rider suffers head trauma.
Poor Surface Conditions
Since motorcycles have only two wheels in contact with the road, they are much more prone to slipping when conditions are poor. For example, water, gravel, or sand could cause a rider’s tires to slip, causing the motorcycle to tip over.
Low Visibility Conditions
Motorcycles are more vulnerable to poor visibility than automobiles. They present a much smaller profile, causing some drivers to overlook them on the roads.
Compounding the issue is a cognitive bias called inattentional blindness. A driver’s brain can be overwhelmed by the information bombarding it while driving. As a result, the brain filters information so the driver can focus on the truly obvious hazards. Unfortunately, motorcyclists can get filtered from a driver’s vision.
Intersections
Many of Savannah’s motorcycle accidents occur in intersections. These crashes often happen when drivers overlook motorcycles or fail to treat them as equals on the road.
A common crash scenario involving intersections happens when a driver turns left in front of, or into, a motorcycle. This type of collision can occur for a few reasons.
First, a driver may fail to see a rider due to inattentional blindness. Second, the driver may misjudge the speed or distance of the motorcycle due to its small size. Third, an impatient driver may try to beat a motorcycle through an intersection. Finally, a distracted driver might be too busy performing a non-driving task to notice the motorcycle.
Careless Drivers
Drivers often operate carelessly around motorcycles simply due to unfamiliarity with them. For example, drivers may fail to move fully into another lane while overtaking motorcycle riders. They may ignore them at stop signs. They may try to beat them when lanes merge. These careless behaviors may force riders to swerve or brake suddenly, increasing their crash risk.
Contact Our Savannah Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Savannah motorcycle accidents can cause serious physical injuries and financial difficulties. Contact Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a Savannah motorcycle accident attorney. We can discuss your accident and how we can pursue compensation under Georgia law.
